Torpedo-protector for vessels.



F. A. THOMAS.

TORPEDO PROTECTOR FOR VESSELS.

APPLICATION FILED wwmxen.

1,263,003, Patented Apr. 16,1918.

' INVENTEIR. %/,%7W

TTEIENEIY.

I {INT-1 FRED A. THOMAS, OF PAWTUCKET, RHODE ISLAND.

TORPEDO-IPROTECTOR FOR vnss'ELs.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRED A. THOMAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pawtucket, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Torpedo-Protectors for Vessels, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in torpedo protectors for vessels, and the primary object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which will intercept the torpedo in its flight and divert the explosive force so as to cause the same to course upwardly out of contact with the vessel and harmlessly expend its force in the atmosphere.

A further object of the invention is to provide a protector which can be easily and quickly operated to inboard and outboard positions, and which is constructed so as to offer minimum resistance to the vessel in travel of the latter through the water.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a top plan view of a vessel equipped with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional detail view, considerably enlarged, and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation.

In proceeding in accordance with the present invention, a plurality of individually mounted hollow baftles or diverters 1 are employed. Each of the baflies or diverters is constructed with a back plate 2 of considerable thickness and strength so as to engage the torpedo and divert the explosion of the same upwardly. The front 3 of each diverter and the top 4 are constructed of lighter metal or metal of less thickness. The front and back are each of concavo-convex cross section and are secured so as to form pointed or tapered ends 5 and a substantially knife edge bottom 6. This structure enables the vessel to easily move through the water without undue resistance being encountered from the diverters.

The diverters are supported from the sides of the vessel by means of brackets 7 which are of substantially \I-form and are secured to the backs of the diverters and also are pivoted at 8 to the sides of the vessel. A double or jointed link 9 is pivoted at 10 to the top horizontal bar of each bracket 7, and is pivoted at 11 to the vessel side. When the diverters are inoperative position, it will be apparent that the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 16,1918.

Application filed July 11, 1917. Serial No. 179,843.

links are diagonally arranged as depicted in Fig. 2 of the drawings. It will also be apparent that there are two brackets and two links 9 employed for each diverter, the brackets and links being arranged adjacent the ends of the diverters, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings.

iVhen it is desired to move the diverters inboard, to the dotted line position of Fig. 2. the joints of links 9 are broken, thus enabling the device to move upwardly and inwardly until the back 2 seats on the vessel deck. Any suitable means may be employed for holding the diverters inboard in the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

In operation, upon a torpedo striking and crushing the thin outer wall of one of the shell-like diverters, the explosion instead of affecting the vessel, will, by reason of the heavy metal of which the back is constructed, be diverted or deflected by the latter, in an upward direction, blowing or breaking off the thin metal top, and expending its force in the atmosphere. The links 9 serve to limit downward movement of the shells 1 so as to hold the latter in a position to cause upward deflection of the torpedo.

It will be apparent that the knife-like or tapering edges of the deflector, as concerns its ends and bottom, constitute what are generally termed fair water edges, which is to minimize resistance to the vessels travel. It will of course be obvious that the deflectors can be disposed in as many numbers as may be necessary to thoroughly protect the vessel.

By making the deflectors hollow, it will be apparent that the explosion by reason of the air space between the front and back plates will follow the course of least resistance which will be upward by reason of the heavy back plate and the water between the same and the vessel, thus expending its force without material injury to the vessel.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is" 1. In a torpedo protector for vessels, a series of diverters of hollow form, each having a thick heavy back plate and thin front and top plates, the back and front plates being of concavo-convex form so as to present knife-like end edges and a knife-like bottom edge, brackets pivoted to the vessel sides and rigidly connected to the back plate, and a break-joint link, pivoted to the vessel above the brackets and extending downwardly at an incline and pivoted to the back plate so as to allow the diverter to be swung inboard with the back plate resting on the vessel deck.

2. In a torpedo protector for vessels, a thick torpedo deflecting back plate, a thin front plate secured to the back plate; and diverging toward the top of the back plate, a substantially inverted V-shaped top connected to the front andback plates, and means connected to the back plate at the rear of the latter so as to leave the front face of the back plate and the top free.

3. In a torpedo protector for vessels, a deflecting member, supporting means for the member connected to the back of said member below the top thereof, and means to pivot the supporting means to the vessel below the deck of the vessel so as to allow Games oft this patent may be obtained for 4. In a torpedo protectorfor vessels, a deflecting member, a bracket connected to the back of the member, means to pivot" the bracket to the vessel so as to allow the member to be swung to lie horizontally with the top of its back seated on the vessel deck, and links pivoted to the back of the member and to the vessel to limit the downward movement of the member.

5. In a torpedo protector for vessels, a back'plate formed to deflect the torpedo, and a thin front plate secured to the back plate to provide an air confining space eX- tending substantially throughout the area 7 of the back plate, and means to mount said member connected to said back plate so as to leave the front face oi the back plate free.

In testimony whereof I have s1gned my name to this specification in the presence 01 two subscribing witnesses.

FRED A. THOMAS.

Witnesses .ADA E. HAGERTY, J. A. MILLER.

five cents each, by addressing the Qommissioner of Fatents,

Washington, D. G. 

